The Saline Settlements

Background


Deeper into the Northern Continent lies the Aegean Desert. Whilst it might be difficult to navigate due to its vastness and severity, the Aegean Desert is in fact the safest way to travel down to the eastern point of the continent, where the Crimson Empire lies. Straddled between the Frozen Sea and the Burning Tundras (of the Brightlands and Darklands respectively), the Aegean Desert is the only stretch of land where temperatures are somewhat tolerable enough to travel by.

Nomadic tribes can be found distributed sparsely throughout the desert. However, a few key oases have led to several main settlements sprouting up within the otherwise barren landscape. Collectively, these are known as the Saline Settlements. Though many of its inhabitants hail from divers backgrounds, a majority of them are in fact clerics and worshippers of Dettol, The All-Pure, deity of law and purity. As a deity who promotes battle for the purpose of purification and cleansing, most of his worshippers have eschewed the comforts of city living in order to hone their mettle in the wilderness. That is not to say that any animosity exists between them and the people of St Pellegrino. Believers of Dettol simply understand that these are mere differences between people and that they have chosen to honour their god with a spiritual detachment from earthly desires. In fact, the battle-clerics and paladins to this day still serve a compulsory term as St Pellegrino law enforcement agents as a display of unity between the two faiths.

Life in the desert is understandably difficult. Nevertheless, because of their alliance with St Pellegrino, the Saline Settlements do receive resources in abundance, such that they do not live in lack. Either way, even without the additional aid, they would surely be able to survive on their own. Such is the necessary law of the land.